Laboratory Skills

Radioimmunoassays

Radioimmunoassays (RIA) have been used for decades to quantify targets of interest.  RIA is used in our laboratory to quantify plasma levels of stress and reproductive steroids. We have also developed a feather corticosterone assay.

Partition Chromatography

Partition chromatography is used to separate steroid hormones from a single plasma sample using a stationary phase and mobile phases of increasing polarity. We use this technique primary to separate sex steroids.

Binding Assays

Proteins and receptor binding assays are used to quantify binding capacity and affinity for ligands. This assay is primarily used to quantify Corticosterone Binding Globulin in plasma

in Situ Hybridization

In situ hybrization is a method for visualizing and quantifying mRNA expression in tissues. This technique primarily used in our laboratory to quantify stress hormone receptors and steroid metabolizing enzyme expression in tissues.

PCR & rtPCR

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a very useful tool for amplifying genetic material. rtPCR takes a quantitative approach to look at relative gene expression. We are primarily using rtPCR to investigate seasonal changes in gene expression.

.

RNA and DNA Extraction

RNA and DNA extractions are critical for preparing samples for PCR and rt PCR reactions.

Hormone Extractions

Experience with solid and liquid phase extraction of steroids from feathers, plasma, and tissues. 
​

Field Skills

Bird Banding

I have been banding birds in Alaska and California  since 2009. We primarily use Japanese mist nets and potter traps to catch all of our birds. Since I joined the Wingfield laboratory in 2009, we have banded over 10,000 birds.

Reproductive Success

We have been monitoring reproductive success of White-crowned sparrows and Lapland longspurs in the vicinity of Toolik Lake, Alaska, since 2010. Our hope is to continue this long-term data set into the future. This study takes a multi-trophic approach to understanding how climate change is affecting reproductive success in these two species.

 Nestling Growth Rates

We have been collecting nestling growth rates of Arctic birds over the last several years to understand how weather, food availability and parental investment influence the growth rate of nestlings.

Radio Telemetry and Geolocators

We have been conducting radio telemetry work around Toolik Lake Alaska since 2014.  This has involved both hand held tracking along with automated receivers for tracking bird movements and departure timing from the breeding grounds in the fall.

AD Instruments Powerlab Data Acquisition Systems
​

I utilize AD Instruments equipment in my undergraduate comparative animal physiology laboratory. We use these systems to conduct experiments on nervous , cardiac , skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal tissues. We also use them to do human performance experiments in which we measures respired gases, EKG, pulse pressures, grip force, etc.